As you may know I love glitter and glamour as much as I love traveling in a sustainable way and to me California and most specifically Los Angeles represents the perfect combo for the two. So, I decided to spend 3 days in the City of Angels through a combination of slow shopping, trendy vegan or organic restaurants and environmentally responsible housing.
Concerning the accommodation, there is lots of alternatives to combine luxury and environmental conscious in Los Angeles. We decided to stay at Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites. This luxury landmark has more than 1300 rooms – it’s a true city within the city. As LA’s first hotel to reach the environmental standards set by Green Seal, it’s also lux with a conscious. Plus, you do feel like home with a very helpful staff who knows all the sustainable places of the city.
3 days in LA it’s very short, the city is huge and there are many things to see and do, so I skipped all the big parks such as Universal Studios to enjoy the city and the Californian life!! I share with you 3 itineraries to discover Los Angeles in a trendy, luxury and sustainable way or almost (renting a car is essential for such a short stay....)
Day 1 – Santa Monica & Venice Beach
We decide to start our holidays at Santa Monica, you know that place where stands the famous Pier with this big wheel and other attractions! As we were awake very early due to the jetlag we had the chance to discover this mythical place before there are too many peopleJI’ve planned to go to Superfood Cafe but we weren’t very hungry that morning (very rare !) but we will for sure try it next time we come (yes I’ve already planned to go back...). By pure chance we arrive in front of True Food Kitchen, another 100% organic restaurant that propose a CorePower Yoga lesson on the beach before an amazing brunch, so we decided to go move our bodies and try this typical Californian way of life. It’s was really amazing to be on Santa Monica Beach doing yoga with all the surfers in front of us, I had the impression to be in a 90210’s episode!!
Then we went to the brunch. True Food offers a healthy, nutrient-rich menu of Mediterranean/Asian flavors in a great decoration. I took a Kale Aid smoothie (with ginger and lemon to reboost myself), and banana pancakes. It was very good and well served.
Then we moved to Venice by stopping at Christy Dawn’s shop: you can find there vintage- inspired dresses using only deadstock fabrics. Each dress at Christy Dawn Designs is designed by Christy herself and sewn by local seamstresses who receive competitive wages and health benefits. I didn’t find anything there cause I wasn’t really in a mood for shopping (run-down moment) but I’m sure you will!
Then what I recommend is to rent bikes to go to Venice Beach and Venice canals cause it’s the only moment when you will be able to be out of a car to move from a place to another and it’s very relaxing. Venice beach is a very interesting place with a lot of animation, and we enjoyed a lot there.
After all that ride, I am hungry (nothing logical with my appetite on this first day I knowww) but it was a food excuse to try Cafe Gratitude (many locations in LA): it’s a 100% organic address very famous here in LA. We ordered Buffalo Cauliflower as a starter, a farmer’s market salad and a Mexican bowl. It’s quite expansive as we paid 110$ for the two of us with the tips.
If you do have a smaller budget you should go to Whole Foods Market, a healthy and organic grocery store when you can take away a salad, sandwich or whatever and then eat on the beach!
Then we went by bike to Venice Canals, the area is primarily a neighborhood of houses that line four canals about a quarter mile long each. Along these channels are sidewalks and bridges you can walk to take in the views of this beautiful area. We took many pictures there (as all the other places we went to actually) and saw lots of billionaire’s houses standing along the canals.
To diner we decided to go to Plant Food + Wine, led by Matthew Kenney, a pioneer vegetarian chef in Los Angeles, the restaurant is 100% vegan and in a beautiful indoor garden. It’s a very good choice when you want to stick with vegan dishes but kick up the class factor!
We enjoyed a, zucchini lasagna with macadamia walnut ricotta, but also a mini cheese raclette with cashew nuts, never ate that vegan before!
Day 2 – Luxury, stars & view!
For this second day we left the hotel, hopping to see celebrities while beginning by Beverly Hills which is known for unparalleled luxury and five-star accommodations, so you just have to open your eyes, enjoy the beauty of all this luxury and dream about it! Cause you do not have a private driver yet I guess, you can enjoy 2-hour free parking at one of the many City of Beverly Hills operated lots on S. Beverly Drive, Brighton Way, Rexford Drive and N. Canon Drive.
Then we went to Rodeo Drive to window shop, but I got lost in a luxury store and bought 2 pairs of heels... absolutely not sustainable I know but everybody does mistakes, and I share them with you as I am completely honest but since I still feel guilty after that kind of purchase we stopped by Reformation in Melrose Avenue, while going to Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a store that have several locations in LA and you can find there the most beautiful fabrics in the most sustainable ways possible: many pieces in the clothing line are created from old clothes and deadstock materials.
Hollywood Boulevaaard!! OK. Stop the excitement, it’s absolutely uninteresting and disappointing as I was expecting... Too much people, too small stars on the ground. So, we quickly went to lunch. Here you have two good options; or you are in a burger mood and then you have to try Umami Burger – Los Feliz: the menu includes vegan options, reimagined classics and a range of exciting new items while using hormone and antibiotic free meat. Or all these glitters made you want a fancy place (my case) and then you have to go to Gracias Madre: organic, plant-based interpretations of Mexico’s most famous and loved dishes. I took a Madre's Chopped Salad and a Ginger Ale juice. Special mention to the fantastic staff who were very patient while answering all my questions about the food (undecided as I love everything).
By 5pm we parked (after 1hours of traffic) to do the Sunset Yoga & Meditation hike at the Griffith Observatory that we booked (40$ for 2 hours with viator.com). We joined the group in front of the Greek Theater, there is a free parking on Hillhurst, then we took a shuttle up to the Observatory. The sky is absolutely beautiful during the golden hour and I took a loooot of pictures for my Instagram! Then we went to an isolated corner to do 30 minutes of yoga and 20 minutes of meditation. After that relaxing moment we saw beautiful views of the iconic Hollywood Sign.
On our way to dinner at Echo Park we stopped by Mooshoes LA on Sunset Boulevard, a vegan- owned business that sells an assortment of cruelty-free footwear, bags, t-shirts, wallets, books and other accessories. I bought some accessories to bring back to my friends and family.
We booked a table at Sage Bistro (Echo Park) and we discovered that huge park in the middle of the city, really different from our previous visits of the day. The restaurant offers an organic, sustainable, plant-based food. 90% of the menu ingredients are sourced and delivered daily from local farmers ! We shared Quinoa Corn Cakes and then I ordered a Summer Pizza that was absolutely deliciouuus. Concerning the dessert we took a cheesecake that was not really good actually... As I highly recommend the pizzas I do not recommend the desserts.
Day 3 – Fresh air & party
Malibuuuuuuu! What a dream!! 1 hour from LA, this quiet city allows long walks by the beach, by the hills, discoveries and seeing stars ‘houses!
In need of fresh air & sea breezes panoramic, a young couple that we met earlier advised us to do the Corral Canyon Trail. As we trust everyone in holidays we went! And that time we were right: that was absolutely wonderful to see all these panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The trail begins and ends in the charming coastal of Malibu and it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, except if, just like us, you stop every 5 minutes to breathe or take pictures for Instagram... But you will sure do it easily even if you are not a sport addict, it’s an easy trek with a loop of 2.5 miles and it worth the effort!
Now my favorite part of the day: lunch! We knew for the beginning where we wanted to go: Malibu Farm Café at Malibu Pier (yes 0 spontaneity). It’s a spot very popular on Instagram, blogger niche (wanted to spend some time with my colleagues?) but above all it’s the perfect spot for a crazy view of the ocean and a 100% LA healthy menu! The restaurant is on the ‘’Malibu Pier’’ so you almost feel like you are eating the feet in water. The most: the playlist is very cool and the decoration so cute!
Going to Zuma Beach on our way back to LA we came across a board indicating a Hindu Temple. As we believe let ourselves be carried by chance we went. It’s completely lost in the Malibu hills and it’s a pure gift! You have to be very respectful with the believers in here who have specific rituals across divers’ priors: you need to leave your shoes behind and wash your feet! It’s a magical atmosphere, very quiet. The structure is all white, and there is lots of details to see if you take your time.
As we have been really delighted in this place, we no longer had time to go to Zuma Beach but it’s one of the most beautiful beaches of the coast according to the locals so make sure to go there!
For our last night in LA we were in the mood for a last shot of ‘’bling bling’’ in our eyes, after a resourceful day. And we loved West Hollywood so much the day before, so we headed to Crossroads for dinner. This place is regularly visited by Oprah Winfrey, Pamela Anderson and Kourtney Kardashian, it’s the place to be when you want to be in the most VIP vegan restaurants in Los Angeles. Although completely vegan, the map makes no mention of its 100% vegetable orientation. It was really good, and the staff was really nice even if it’s THE place to be seen in the city and that I have sometimes trouble with the treatment of clients in this type of place.
After two glasses of delicious wine and a meeting with a group of festive Americans we were in the mood for party. In addition, we wanted to enjoy to the end of our short trip in LA. So, doesn’t matter we will sleep in the plane tomorrow! We went to the most exclusive club in the city; 1OAK on Sunset Boulevard and it was a wonderful night even if the prices are really really reallyyy high. The song is incredible, the decoration is very cool and there is lots of beautiful people. I’ve even seen Sophia Richie at the VIP corner and that was the highlight of my night (don’t judge me please).
As I hope you understood with my article, Los Angeles is the city of stars, glitters and luxury but also home to conscious shops, sustainable restaurants, and ecofriendly way of living. The proximity with the mountains, city and beach makes it a wonderful spot to vacation all year round with a sunny climate and I cant’s more recommend you spending more than 3 years in the city of Angels!